On the day of August 29th, 2020, a church event was held at Folsom Lake in Sacramento. This was where Artem first noticed Alena, and Alena remembers driving back to Fresno and telling her mom about him the next day. Two things were discussed: how he was trying to impress her with his spike ball moves and how she couldn't hear her own voice over his during worship. Artem asked Alena to be his girlfriend May 8th, 2021 and gave her a promise ring. 2 years and 3 months later, Artem fulfilled that promise and proposed to Alena at Point Lobos on August 26th, 2023. Now the two are looking forward to their wedding day on June 2nd, 2024!

"It has been so sweet to be able to grow with Artem, since we've known each other since we were 16. Being in a long distance relationship is difficult for one reason and that is solely relying on communication. However, long distance made our short dates become all the more treasured, our calls all the more longer, and allowed us to look forward to each of the next times we would see each other. Artem contributes largely as to why I don't see much distance between us. If we argued, no matter how late, he'd always drive down to Fresno to fix what we were arguing over. Before I got my drivers license, Artem would drive down to Fresno to take me anywhere I wanted. When I wanted to go to San Fransisco for my birthday, Artem picked me up and dropped me off all in the same day. Imagine how much milage that comes out to haha. Anyways, I am beyond thankful for the man that the Lord has blessed me with and I cannot wait to marry him in just a couple of months!"

- Alena Gorban